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Marrow shook her head. “Don’t worry about who’s taking him down. The shaft-head sent enough proof to the Tryleskians to establish his guilt. Including an image of his purchase.” Her gaze darted to Sara before returning to him. “He’s convicted himself. Raff has offered to tag along. I’ll fly the larger shuttle to the surface and he’ll pull guard duty. Dovis is also going, to fill out the legal documents, since he’s officially our head of security. We’ve got this. Go bond.”
York didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed Sara’s hand and led her off the bridge. “You’re always safe, Sara. Never forget that.”
“I won’t.”
They reached their cabin within minutes and York lifted her into his arms the second the door sealed behind them. He kissed her, carrying her to their bed. The overriding urge to plant his seed inside her and watch her belly expand in size with his young had his shaft swollen and hurting. He gently put her down, bending to remove his boots.
Sara stripped fast, too. “God, you are so sexy.”
“So are you, my heart.”
He removed the last of his clothing, reaching for his bond mate.
There was an urgency to their lovemaking. He explored her body feverishly with his hands and mouth, loving the tiny moans she made, and the way she touched him back. He kissed her deep when she was wet and ready for him, her thighs parting to wrap around his hips, and he surged forward, claiming her.
Pleasure had him groaning her name as he furiously pumped his hips, her sounds of pending climax growing louder when he increased the pace.
He hoped when his seed expelled from his shaft, that it would result in a child. Fate had blessed them once already. He was hopeful for a second time.
Chapter Nine
Sara couldn’t believe she was already back on Relon. The authorities had asked that she appear before one of their judging committees as proof she was the human Prince Azerba had illegally purchased. It seemed the Dunng were trying to state their prince had been set up, a tactic by the Tryleskians in order to gain Piz crystals.
York kept making angry noises at her side, and he tightened his hold on her hand. “They have no honor!”
“It’s bullshit,” Sara agreed. “But we’ve got this.”
York was upset, and she didn’t blame him. He hadn’t wanted her to go down to the planet surface, certain the Dunng meant to attack or outright kill her before she could arrive in court.
She glanced at their party. York, Marrow, Raff, Cathian, and one of the Pods were with her. She felt safe.
“It’s going to be fine, York. You heard Cathian. The Dunng believe my race is weak and too frightened to face their prince in court. They’re hoping I won’t show, so they can get the charges dismissed to free him.”
“Exactly,” Cathian agreed. “These idiots have no idea how strong and determined humans can be. Nara wanted to come with us but I talked her into helping Dovis defend The Vorge while we’re down here. They might try to attack it after their prince is found guilty.”
“It feels like a trap,” York muttered.
“I’m certain it is.” Raff almost sounded excited. “When shit goes bad, Marrow can shield One. York, you’re on Sara. I’ll kill anything that comes at us from the front and sides, while Cathian will cover our asses. They might slow us down, but we’ll make it to court on time.”
Sara glanced at Raff. He actually looked happy for once. She was glad he was on their side. York, however, still appeared grim, his gaze taking in everything around them, ready to protect her if they were attacked. She trusted him.
The street outside the transport shuttle was congested with aliens. Most saw their group and scattered, making a wide path. York pulled her closer to his side. One walked next to Sara, with Marrow on his other side. Raff stayed ahead of them, with Cathian at their backs. It left One and Sara completely surrounded.
A small hand brushed hers, and she startled before grasping One’s hand. A sense of calm filled her, and she wondered if pushing emotions into others was one of the Pod’s gifts, besides reading minds. It seemed he was trying to let her know everything would be okay.
“Everything will be fine, and yes, we can,” One said quietly, in response to her thoughts. “Captain, two minds are focused on us,” he warned. “They are Yuna, who are working for the Dunng. The first is surprised we showed, the other is frustrated Sara didn’t come with just one guard. He’s under orders to grab her and take her to a waiting Dunng ship. He now realizes that’s not possible.” He paused—then giggled. “He’s afraid of York. He saw a Parri male in a jealous rage once, when one of the Yuna’s friends made the mistake of groping the breast of a Parri female in the market, to see if it was as soft as it looked. His friend didn’t survive.”
Sara had a mental flashback of the shelter instructor showing her the result of a Parri attack. She wondered if that alien’s friend had been the same dead Yuna in the picture, the one who’d been torn to pieces. Despite the grisly reminder, her fear faded. York could definitely fight. She trusted his friends to keep her safe, too.
It had confused her at first, why One had come with them, but now she understood. He was the perfect detection system if anyone meant to attack.
“I’m good at it, too,” One boasted. “Captain, we’re being followed by the first one. They want her alive to return to the prince, but they’re allowed to kill her if capture isn’t possible. He’s in communication with two groups, letting them know when to attack. They didn’t want a public street fight but are under orders to not let the human reach court.”
“Yes!”
Sara startled from Raff’s outburst before he glanced back at their group. A wide grin stretched his lips and sheer excitement glowed on his features. He faced forward again, his hands fondling the blade handles at his hips.
York urged her to keep walking. “He gets unnaturally thrilled about fighting. Try to ignore it.”
Marrow snorted. “Is your shaft hard, Raff? Most males get turned on by a naked woman, but not you.”
“The condition of my shaft is never any of your business,” Raff grunted.
“We have incoming,” One announced. “There are too many minds to get an accurate count but it’s in the dozens. They are in front of us and to the left.” He paused. “They have an echo launcher!”
York released Sara’s hand, grabbed her around her waist, and swiftly jerked her off her feet.
She gasped, seeing that Marrow had done the same to One. York ran to a public communication box and shoved her inside.
“Get down and stay there!”
She’d barely sat when One was dropped on top of her in the enclosed space. It was a good thing he didn’t weigh much. The box reminded her of Earth’s version of an old telephone booth. One wiggled a bit, getting off her lap and pressing against her side, and Sara drew her legs up, making herself a smaller target. They were squeezed together tightly, with York in front of them, blocking the opening.
“We’ll be fine.” One patted her hand. “No one will reach us.”
“What’s an echo launcher?”
“It projects strong wind,” he whispered.
“That doesn’t sound too bad.” She’d been afraid they’d launch bombs or toxic gas that would kill everyone.
One gasped, then yelled, “Launching!”
York suddenly turned, grabbed the small counter above them, and curved his body over theirs.
A loud blast hit, hurting Sara’s ears.
She could see between York’s slightly parted legs in front of them. There was a store about fifteen feet away—and the glass in the front shattered inward and people inside were thrown off their feet, towards the back of the store. All the merchandise on the shelves inside went flying, too. It reminded Sara of a shockwave effect.
Her ears rang from the noise, and the box they were in shook but held firm.
York shoved himself back, gone in a flash. He moved out of their sight, and Sara tried to leave the box to go help, but One clut
ched at her. She turned her head, seeing his lips moving, but she couldn’t hear what he said. He tightened his hold and jerked on her, forcing her to stay put. It took seconds for the ringing in her ears to fade.
“I said,” One repeated, “stay down! We’ll only be in their way. Neither of us are fighters.”
That’s where he was wrong. Sara heard grunts, the sound of a vicious fight, then laser blasts going off. She stared at the sidewalk between her hiding spot and the store. The urge to fight at York’s side was strong.
“Don’t,” One warned. “You’re thinking as a human. I’m sure you’re strong, but not against a Yuna. Be smart. Not proud. You’re no match for aliens bigger and faster than you. You’ll become a distraction to the crew that could get them killed.”
She grit her teeth. The truth hurt. Everything inside her hated taking cover while the crew risked their lives for her safety.
“I know you find this difficult,” One whispered. “Stay put, Sara. I need to focus. Let me do my job. Yours is staying right here.”
She nodded. “Okay.” She hoped the crew didn’t get hurt or killed, not sure how she’d be able to live with the guilt.
One chuckled. “They’re all fine. Feel sorry for the Yuna. They’re dying swiftly. Raff isn’t holding back. Neither are the others. Stop feeling guilt, as well; none of this was your doing. Blame the Dunng prince. He’s the one who hired these thugs to attack us.”
Something shrieked. It was close and sounded horrible. Green liquid splashed the sidewalk in front of the box.
“Incoming Relon police,” One shouted. “They’re on our side. Don’t kill them, too.”
Sara glanced at him with an incredulous look.
One met her gaze. “The crew needs to know who the enemy is. We’ve had experiences in the past with officials who were bribed. The Relon are here to assist.”
“Ah…okay.”
It grew quiet after a few more minutes. One wiggled his fingers, finally motioning her to get out of the box. “It’s safe. All are down but our crew.”
She gripped the sides of the opening and pulled herself out.
The first thing she saw when she stood were bodies. A lot of them.
York faced her from a few feet away. He had green stuff all over him—but what scared her most was the red blood smeared over one of his cheeks.
“I’m fine, my Sara. It’s just a scratch. I heal fast.”
“Help me, please.”
Sara had forgotten about One. He struggled to get up but his round little body was kind of stuck. She took both his hands and pulled him to his feet.
“I told you it would be fine.” He winked. “It’s always best for everyone if we stay out of the way while they fight.”
She released him and wanted to rush to York, but he shook his head, putting out a hand to stop her. “I don’t want their blood on you.”
“Right.” Her gaze went to his cheek again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I would never lie to you.”
She nodded, then looked around, finding Marrow. The pilot was wiping her face and hands with what looked to be someone’s torn shirt. Raff walked among the downed Yunas, pulling blades from their bodies and returning them to various holsters on his pants. Cathian motioned to the group of Relon police and began to talk to them. They were too far away for Sara to hear what was being said.
She counted over twenty-six Yuna on the ground. All the other aliens who’d been in the street before the fight broke out were slowly stepping out of shops with damaged windows. They must have rushed inside them when the fight broke out. No innocent bystanders appeared gravely injured, but some were sporting cuts and torn clothing from the launcher damage.
Those people looked as stunned as Sara felt at seeing the destruction and bodies.
Her crew had taken on all those Yuna—and won. Not only that, but none of the Yuna were moving. She was pretty sure all twenty-six were dead. A few of the Yuna attackers near York were in pieces. She quickly averted her gaze, though that didn’t come as a shock. Nor did it make her fear York, who she was certain had done that damage.
“It’s going to be fine,” York assured her.
She forced a smile. “I know. Thank you. This is my first, um, battle. I’m so proud of you…but I’m a little grossed out. Not from you. It’s the bodies.”
York’s expression softened. “I’d do anything to keep you safe.”
“I love you.”
“You’re my heart. I want to hold you, but…” He motioned down his body.
“After a shower,” she agreed.
He chuckled. “Yes.”
“Let’s go, crew,” Cathian ordered. “We’ll be late for court. The Relons are going to make sure we’re not attacked again.” He glanced around. “And they’ll take care of this mess by clearing away the bodies.”
“I told you these idiots would only slow us down.” Raff chuckled. “That was fun, wasn’t it?”
“I have blood in my hair,” Marrow growled. “Gross.”
“I didn’t send any heads your way this time,” York told her. “You’re welcome.”
Sara frowned, glancing between the two, wondering what that meant.
“You don’t want to know,” One sighed, taking Sara’s hand. “You heard the captain. We need to go. Court awaits. Let’s make the asshole prince pay for his crimes.”
York walked next to Sara but was careful not to brush up against her. She reached out and gripped his pinkie finger. It was the only part of his hand not stained green.
Their group took formation again, with her and One in the center. But now they had armed Relon escorts, too.
“That’s their justice hall.” York used his free hand to point at a building. “We made it.”
“It’s all good, Captain,” One stated. “I have no more thoughts from anyone about attacking us. The prince has already learned we took out his hired thugs and Sara is alive.” He paused, then giggled again. “He’s aware he’s going to be convicted—and has just burst into tears.”
* * * * *
Court was long and boring, but Sara patiently listened to the judges drone on about the charges and the evidence. As for her part, she just needed to be there for the prosecutor to point out. She hadn’t had to testify at all. Her presence alone proved she was real. And then it finally got to the good part
A Relon guard ordered Prince Azerba to his feet to face punishment. Not only did he have to pay for the damage his thugs had caused on the street when they’d attacked The Vorge crew, but he was sentenced to fifty years in prison.
One of the judges lifted a hand. “We will remove one year each for the safe return of any slaves you’ve purchased, your highness.”
“But you will serve at least twenty years,” another added. “I hope you have thirty slaves to relinquish. Otherwise, I doubt you’ll see your home world again. You’ll die in the bowels of Relon.”
Sara was surprised by the court’s offer, but she hoped the prince took them up on it and freed his harem. Twenty years was a long time, regardless. She wouldn’t have to worry about him seeking payback for two decades or more.
The prince sobbed and threw himself on the floor, kicking and screaming as he had on The Vorge. “Do you know who I am? I’m a prince! You can’t do this to me!”
One of the judges snorted. “You own mines. Now you’ll work in one. We find that a fitting punishment.”
York leaned in, whispering to her, “The prison they speak of is a mining operation a few thousand feet underground. There’s no hope of escape or a prison break. I’ve heard the few shafts leading to it are rigged to blow if they’re ever breached by anyone unauthorized. He’d be buried alive if that were to happen. It’s a failsafe. They send the worst criminals underground. I’m glad he’ll be sent there instead of a surface camp. They probably fear his people would attempt to rescue him.”
That information comforted her even more.
The session broke up and the condemned had to be
carried out by two guards, the prince still screaming and wailing. Sara didn’t feel sympathy for him. He’d not only bought her to be his sex slave, but had tried to take her from York. Other victims of his probably hadn’t been as lucky or had anyone to protect them.
“It’s finished. He’ll never dare to come after you again.” York looked pleased.
“His family might,” Raff retorted.
“Don’t even think it.” Cathian glared at his cousin. “You’re always looking for a fight.” He met Sara’s gaze. “The prince’s family will be more focused on trying to get that prick out of prison and attempting to make shady deals to cut off more years.”
“Is that possible?”
Cathian shook his head. “Relons are honorable. They abhor slavery. It’s at the top of a list of crimes they allow no forgiveness for. It will take a while for his family to figure that out, though.”
“I’m ready to fly us back home.” Marrow led the way out of the building.
“Should we stop to get cleaned up first?” York had the most blood on him.
“No. All the blood has dried by now. We won’t be staining our shuttle seats, and I’ll feel better once we’re off the surface. No sense in sticking around any longer than necessary.” Cathian pulled out a comms unit. “I’m letting Nara and the rest of the crew know what went down and that we’re on our way back.”
Another Relon escort team met them in the street and walked them all the way back to their shuttle. They probably wanted to avoid another attack and more damage to their city. York helped her get buckled into a seat and then excused himself, rushing into the bathroom. She smiled, knowing he wanted to get as clean as possible.
Marrow started the engines and they lifted off. York returned to his seat minus his shirt, his skin and hair wet, and she got a better look at his injured cheek, now that his blood had been washed away. He was right; it was just a thin scratch that looked mostly healed. She was thankful he had that ability. Humans would have taken more than just a few hours for an injury to fade.
He gave her a kiss on her lips. “I’m glad that’s over.”
“Me too.” She looked at their group. “I want to tell everyone how much I appreciate the support you’ve given me.”